Repping Beantown

Move over Hancock Place, your days as Boston’s largest immovable structure may be numbered as Shaquille O’Neal is expected to sign with the Celtics in the very near future.  Though certainly no match for the towering 60-floor skyscraper in terms of sheer height, Shaq’s larger than life personality will surely make the already massive 325 lbs. center Boston’s most prominent asset over 7 feet tall.  Not to mention, Shaq actually predates Boston’s tallest building, born in 1972, 4 years before construction on Hancock Place was complete.  While his production on the court recently has declined relative to his peak performance years, Shaq is still a beloved superstar from coast to coast.  Countless media appearances highlighted by his own reality show, Shaq Vs. (during which he takes on other celebrities at their chosen profession), has kept him relevant off the court as his on-court minutes wane.

Still, if utilized effectively, Shaq can be a very effective player for the Celtics.  Admittedly, a 38-year-old basketball player is well past his prime, but in sparing minutes he can still provide a valuable contribution.  Kendrick Perkins is coming off an injury at the center position, while Rasheed Wallace, who came off the bench last year to spell Perkins, announced his retirement earlier this off-season.  With an imposing Dwight Howard still dominating the interior down in Orlando, Bosh and Ilgauskas making their way to Miami, the Bulls bringing in Boozer to complement Noah and the Knicks signing Amare Stoudemire,  the Celtics obviously feel the need to keep pace with their fellow Eastern Conference contenders in the big man arms race.

Shaq played with the Cavaliers in 09-10, but became a free agent this off-season, eligible to sign with any team of his choosing.  Last season, he averaged 12.0 points and 6.7 rebounds over the course of 23.4 minutes, while appearing in 53 games (all as a starter).

As one of America’s earliest settlements, the history of Boston is deeply rooted in that of our great nation.  As a hotbed of unrest during the American Revolution, the city played a major role in both shaping our culture and securing our freedom.  The home of outspoken revolutionaries, Continental Congressmen, Founding Fathers and tea party enthusiasts, Boston is a city rich in history and pride.  Here is a look at some of the area’s legendary historical sites it would be almost treasonous to miss. Ramble On

While the Japanese have Godzilla, Boston is home to its own “Green Monster,” predating even the release of the original black and white film.  Standing 37 ft. and 2 inches high, the sky-reaching façade has stood guard to Landsdowne St. since Fenway Park was originally constructed in 1912.  The left field shadow of the Green Monster has been home to some of the game’s most decorated players including Hall of Famers Ted Williams, Carl Yastrzemski and Jim Rice, not to mention modern day big league all-stars Manny Ramirez, Jason Bay and Jacoby Ellsbury. Ramble On

Dating back to the Great Potato Famine, Boston has long been the landing place for Irish settlers looking to make a home in the New World.  To see evidence of Boston’s Irish influence, look no further than the clovers and Celtic crosses that frequent the area buildings, logos and street corners not just on St. Patrick’s day, but year round.  Constituting over 15% of Boston’s population, people claiming Irish descent are the largest ethnic group in the city, almost twice the size of those with Italian heritage at just over 8%.  For a taste of Irish food and flair, Boston is graced by some of the nation’s most authentic Irish pubs.  Here’s a look at a few that thirsty travelers would be advised to stop by. Ramble On

Boston residents and visitors alike often affectionately refer to the city by its most common nickname “Beantown,” but many Boston patrons still do not know where this quirky moniker comes from.  The phrase actually stems from the once popular dish “Boston baked beans,” a local former favorite that has now fallen out of favor, with no companies in the city currently making it and very few restaurants featuring the item on the menu.  Ramble On

The hometown Celtics, one of the NBA’s most historic franchises, came up short in a bid for what would have been a league record 18^th championship as they lost a hotly contested game 7 to the arch rival Los Angeles Lakers.  Still, with the Lakers hoisting only their 16^th NBA title, the Celtics remain the league’s “winning-est” team for at least one more season.  Ramble On